Perspective: role of the vascular cambium

As the vascular cambium becomes active and secondary tissues are formed, the consequent increase in diameter of the stem may have profound effects on the primary body. This is especially true in woody, arborescent taxa among conifers and dicotyledons. The vascular cambium is an extensive, permanent secondary meristem, one cell thick, conical in form, often described as cylindrical, that begins its development between primary xylem and primary phloem. In most gymnosperms and dicotyledons it is present in all main stems and roots and their branches, extending from near their tips to the bases of stems and roots. In some woody plants it even extends into leaf petioles. In most woody taxa it differentiates first in developing vascular bundles at about the same time as metaxylem begins its development (Figs 9.1a, b, 9.2), that is, after elongation in the provascular strands has ceased. This fascicular cambium may become active, producing some secondary xylem and phloem before cambial differentiation occurs between the bundles (Fig. 9.1b), that is, in the interfascicular regions. In many woody, arborescent taxa, additional provascular strands differentiate between the initial vascular bundles, often so close together that they may contact each other laterally (Fig. 9.1b, c). The vascular cambium then becomes continuous across the vascular bundles (Fig. 9.1c, d).